multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [83])

Head of state and government

President, assisted by the Prime Minister1

Capital

Porto-Novo12

Official language

French

Official religion

none

Monetary unit

CFA franc (CFAF)

Population

Total area (sq mi)

Total area (sq km)

1Office of Prime Minister vacant from May 1998 was filled in May 2011; the post of prime minister is not required per the constitution.2Porto-Novo, the official capital established under the constitution, is the seat of the legislature, but the president and most government ministers reside in Cotonou.